Saints News

Graeme Le Saux wants Southampton to be creative in the Premier League

Graeme Le Saux has highlighted creativity as the key to former club Saints enjoying a successful return to the Premier League.

Le Saux, pictured, part of the Saints team relegated from the top flight in 2005, insists midfield flair akin to last season’s surprise package Swansea is a must if Nigel Adkins’ men are to avoid the drop.

He said: “For a team like Southampton they need to have a bit more creativity through the middle, like a Mata-type player as we have seen with Swansea.

“They (Swansea) have good technical players in the centre of midfield and they can be the link and open up defences.”

The fixture computer has been unkind to Saints, with matches against both Manchester clubs as well as Arsenal inside the first four games of 2012/13.

Le Saux is adamant that Saints do not just sit back and defend against the league’s leading lights.

He said: “Finding that creativity just takes the pressure off the defence and causes problems to your opponents.

“If you try and defend against Premier League teams you eventually concede because they just wear you down.

“You need to be able to take the game to them as well.”

Norwich City are another side who caused a stir in the top flight last term after being promoted, and Le Saux feels everything is in place for Saints to follow a similar path.

“Nigel Adkins has done a really good job and they are built on a good foundation,” he explained.

“They are going to need to strengthen their squad a bit but any team being promoted would have to.

“If they can emulate Norwich and Swansea particularly, then they could be a decent Premier League team.”

Many people have criticised the tactics of managers such as Ian Holloway and Roberto Martinez in the past, with their insistence on providing fans with attractive football even if it ultimately
sees them lose matches.

However, Le Saux agrees that it is possible to continue with your footballing principles even if some are calling for a less eye-catching but potentially more points-scoring style of play.

“Any team that gets promoted through playing good, technical football and rises above the more direct football that can be associated with the Championship are already halfway to being prepared for
the Premier League,” he outlined.

“The Premier League is so competitive, so aggressive, so physical, that you need more than that physical side of your game to win matches.

“You need to have that craft, skill and technique.”

Graeme Le Saux was speaking to celebrate the first-ever draw of the new Capital One Cup. Capital One are the new title sponsors of the League Cup. Visit footballleague.co.uk for more details.

zummerzet saint wrote:
It's true....Swansea's key player last year was Leon Britton, we need to spend and get a top quality creative midfield general in. We do lack that sort of player at the moment.

Nigel's on it. Believe.

[quote][p][bold]zummerzet saint[/bold] wrote:
It's true....Swansea's key player last year was Leon Britton, we need to spend and get a top quality creative midfield general in. We do lack that sort of player at the moment.[/p][/quote]Nigel's on it. Believe.St Retford

Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.

I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.

Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a "hanging by a thread" survival outfit.

We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.

We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.

Onwards.

Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.
I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.
Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a "hanging by a thread" survival outfit.
We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.
We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.
Onwards.Alicesdad

St Retford wrote:
On a related theme, Rangers are no longer playing in the ML cup. I wonder how this will affect the Davis rumours.

There will probably be lots of them.

[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
On a related theme, Rangers are no longer playing in the ML cup. I wonder how this will affect the Davis rumours.[/p][/quote]There will probably be lots of them.mack chinnon

Hmm odd one this as wasn't the draw for that about 3 weeks ago? The inference seems to be we'll play like England cos of the big scary clubs! Nightmare draw? Bring it I say, fear no-one, perfectly fine to be bullish with the firepower we have! COYR

Hmm odd one this as wasn't the draw for that about 3 weeks ago? The inference seems to be we'll play like England cos of the big scary clubs! Nightmare draw? Bring it I say, fear no-one, perfectly fine to be bullish with the firepower we have! COYRSt Graz

We'll do fine, pick anything up from the Citeh, United or Arsenil match and that will be a bonus just make sure we beat Wigan at home. And as has already been mentioned Morgan will be ideal for premier league.

We'll do fine, pick anything up from the Citeh, United or Arsenil match and that will be a bonus just make sure we beat Wigan at home. And as has already been mentioned Morgan will be ideal for premier league.SO50 Saint

I have a lot of admiration for Le Saux. But his comment:
.
“Any team that gets promoted through playing good, technical football and rises above the more direct football that can be associated with the Championship are already halfway to being prepared for the Premier League,” he outlined.
.
is a little behind the times. Yeah sure there is a bit of kick and run(!) but that is a massive injustive to the top 10 teams in the champ who over a season played out a very entertaining conclusion with some great players on show playing some breathtaking prem style football. Saints, WH, reading, Boro, cardiff, blackpool, BHA, B'ham and Hull all played 'proper' football (some more than others) and made it a very difficult league to escape from. At some point people outside of the football league are going to stand up and acknowledge that perhaps the future of English football lies in the champ and a team chosen from the afore mentioned teams could have done better at the Euros than the actual England team!!!

I have a lot of admiration for Le Saux. But his comment:
.
“Any team that gets promoted through playing good, technical football and rises above the more direct football that can be associated with the Championship are already halfway to being prepared for the Premier League,” he outlined.
.
is a little behind the times. Yeah sure there is a bit of kick and run(!) but that is a massive injustive to the top 10 teams in the champ who over a season played out a very entertaining conclusion with some great players on show playing some breathtaking prem style football. Saints, WH, reading, Boro, cardiff, blackpool, BHA, B'ham and Hull all played 'proper' football (some more than others) and made it a very difficult league to escape from. At some point people outside of the football league are going to stand up and acknowledge that perhaps the future of English football lies in the champ and a team chosen from the afore mentioned teams could have done better at the Euros than the actual England team!!!dopplershift

Let's just wait and see what happens. We have a tough first few games, but once they are over, the manager will then know what needs to be done in terms of bolstering his squad, if it is needed.

Let's just wait and see what happens. We have a tough first few games, but once they are over, the manager will then know what needs to be done in terms of bolstering his squad, if it is needed.oregonsaint

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-lowe esteem

zummerzet saint wrote:
It's true....Swansea's key player last year was Leon Britton, we need to spend and get a top quality creative midfield general in. We do lack that sort of player at the moment.

Nigel's on it. Believe.

I did hear that on Sunday night Nigel dreamed he was a horse and he told Nicola that since then he hasn't been entirely sure whether he is actually a horse dreaming that he is a football manager. This is a very difficult one indeed and I hope he gets through it.

[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]zummerzet saint[/bold] wrote:
It's true....Swansea's key player last year was Leon Britton, we need to spend and get a top quality creative midfield general in. We do lack that sort of player at the moment.[/p][/quote]Nigel's on it. Believe.[/p][/quote]I did hear that on Sunday night Nigel dreamed he was a horse and he told Nicola that since then he hasn't been entirely sure whether he is actually a horse dreaming that he is a football manager. This is a very difficult one indeed and I hope he gets through it.Confucious

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.

Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.

[quote][p][bold]lowe esteem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-[/p][/quote]The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.
Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.St Retford

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote: What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games? Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction. Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.

obviously

[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]lowe esteem[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote: What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games? Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-[/p][/quote]The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction. Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.[/p][/quote]obviouslyworried of n e hampshire

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote: What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games? Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction. Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.

obviously

Fact.

[quote][p][bold]worried of n e hampshire[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]lowe esteem[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote: What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games? Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-[/p][/quote]The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction. Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.[/p][/quote]obviously[/p][/quote]Fact.St Retford

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.

Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.

Might be a plastic - although it shows the intelligence - referring to the league that they are (possibly) in the second tier of in derogatory terms.

[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]lowe esteem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-[/p][/quote]The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.
Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.[/p][/quote]Might be a plastic - although it shows the intelligence - referring to the league that they are (possibly) in the second tier of in derogatory terms.St Graz

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

bit of a quiet day today so had a look at the poopey news site.
now the real question is how can an island race, as the portsea islanders are, be so close to civilisation and show such lack of intelligence.
some think Chainrai will save them.
some think the truss will do the business.

very few do not understand that unless the high earners are removed no one will save them.
oh final question is liquidised "skunt"toxic and will it have to be stored like nuclear waste .
great time to be a saint

[quote][p][bold]lowe esteem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-[/p][/quote]bit of a quiet day today so had a look at the poopey news site.
now the real question is how can an island race, as the portsea islanders are, be so close to civilisation and show such lack of intelligence.
some think Chainrai will save them.
some think the truss will do the business.
very few do not understand that unless the high earners are removed no one will save them.
oh final question is liquidised "skunt"toxic and will it have to be stored like nuclear waste .
great time to be a saintcirca 66 saint

If I may add that poopeys exit from administration, by means of a CVA, will still not guarantee them escape from a possible points deduction for the start of the new season.
This will be decided by the Football League in the coming weeks.

Good post 'circa', more or less in a 'nutshell'.
If I may add that poopeys exit from administration, by means of a CVA, will still not guarantee them escape from a possible points deduction for the start of the new season.
This will be decided by the Football League in the coming weeks.spyware

Alicesdad wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.

I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.

Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a &quot;hanging by a thread" survival outfit.

We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.

We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.

Onwards.

Here! Here!
I second that.
COYR

[quote][p][bold]Alicesdad[/bold] wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.
I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.
Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a "hanging by a thread" survival outfit.
We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.
We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.
Onwards.[/p][/quote]Here! Here!
I second that.
COYRSFCOLDBOY

Alicesdad wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.

I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.

Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a &quot;hanging by a thread" survival outfit.

We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.

We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.

Onwards.

I admire your optimism and positive attitude. But. Do you watch much Premier League football on TV? With our current squad plus another 4 decent additions we can probably make 15th in the league.

I am sure NC will have set NA a stretch target of over half way, but to achieve that you need high quality players not just good players

Our present squad doesn't have proven high quality players who have done it in the Premier League, and I don't believe we will bring that kind of player in. So, we have get real, 15th will be a decent result for me. I hope NC see's it that way and doesn't get rid of Nigel if we don't end up 10th or better.

But some how I don't think he will. When Pardew got us within one place of the play-offs and won the JPT, with a -10 start in the league he was told he had failed.

I would love to see us in the top 10, but I have been watching 2 Premier League games per week for years and I don't think our squad will be good enough to achieve that.

Like Norwich and Swansea were are a provincial club, with provincial players. Unless big money is invested I think we will stay that way.

[quote][p][bold]Alicesdad[/bold] wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.
I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.
Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a "hanging by a thread" survival outfit.
We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.
We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.
Onwards.[/p][/quote]I admire your optimism and positive attitude. But. Do you watch much Premier League football on TV? With our current squad plus another 4 decent additions we can probably make 15th in the league.
I am sure NC will have set NA a stretch target of over half way, but to achieve that you need high quality players not just good players
Our present squad doesn't have proven high quality players who have done it in the Premier League, and I don't believe we will bring that kind of player in. So, we have get real, 15th will be a decent result for me. I hope NC see's it that way and doesn't get rid of Nigel if we don't end up 10th or better.
But some how I don't think he will. When Pardew got us within one place of the play-offs and won the JPT, with a -10 start in the league he was told he had failed.
I would love to see us in the top 10, but I have been watching 2 Premier League games per week for years and I don't think our squad will be good enough to achieve that.
Like Norwich and Swansea were are a provincial club, with provincial players. Unless big money is invested I think we will stay that way.george chivers

Looking forward to seeing Barca at our place next season when we qualify for Champions League!
They've never heard of Ricky, Adam, Billy, Jay, Morgan - let alone Lee!
Let the fire power commence.
Europe here we come....Matt Allen

Alicesdad wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.

I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.

Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a &quot;hanging by a thread" survival outfit.

We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.

We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.

Onwards.

Have you recently attended a REDARMY1 training course?

Love the positivity - can' wait for the season to commence.

The boys are back tomorrow to start pre-season training hopefully all well rested and ready for the challenge ahead.

COYR's

[quote][p][bold]Alicesdad[/bold] wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.
I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.
Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a "hanging by a thread" survival outfit.
We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.
We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.
Onwards.[/p][/quote]Have you recently attended a REDARMY1 training course?
Love the positivity - can' wait for the season to commence.
The boys are back tomorrow to start pre-season training hopefully all well rested and ready for the challenge ahead.
COYR'sThe Inbetweener

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

i love the smell of jealousy in the afternoon, kind of smells like victory.
coyr foptj

[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]i love the smell of jealousy in the afternoon, kind of smells like victory.
coyr foptjlikewatchingbrazil

spyware wrote:
Apologies if someone has posted this before but I have heard that SAINTS' game with Man City has now been re-arranged to the Monday night.

Sounds about right, Man City started with Swansea as their first game last season and that was moved to Monday night for Sky.

I watched the game, Swansea played really well, but then ran out of steam on 60 mins and City took advantage.

I think we can get something from the game.

[quote][p][bold]spyware[/bold] wrote:
Apologies if someone has posted this before but I have heard that SAINTS' game with Man City has now been re-arranged to the Monday night.[/p][/quote]Sounds about right, Man City started with Swansea as their first game last season and that was moved to Monday night for Sky.
I watched the game, Swansea played really well, but then ran out of steam on 60 mins and City took advantage.
I think we can get something from the game.Matt Allen

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

nice one , keep 'em coming ...... i like a smile on a wednesday evening !

[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]nice one , keep 'em coming ...... i like a smile on a wednesday evening !slugger

I personally think that facing Man City at home is the best fixture for Saints.

A suprise result in our first game will be "cutting the head of the serpent" and send a message of intent to the rest of the premiershp.

Saints win against a championship favourite - Leeds last season did kick start our season somewhat.

I personally think that facing Man City at home is the best fixture for Saints.
A suprise result in our first game will be "cutting the head of the serpent" and send a message of intent to the rest of the premiershp.
Saints win against a championship favourite - Leeds last season did kick start our season somewhat.PremSaint

PremSaint wrote:
I personally think that facing Man City at home is the best fixture for Saints.

A suprise result in our first game will be &quot;cutting the head of the serpent" and send a message of intent to the rest of the premiershp.

Saints win against a championship favourite - Leeds last season did kick start our season somewhat.

I was so glad we won our opening game last season.

[quote][p][bold]PremSaint[/bold] wrote:
I personally think that facing Man City at home is the best fixture for Saints.
A suprise result in our first game will be "cutting the head of the serpent" and send a message of intent to the rest of the premiershp.
Saints win against a championship favourite - Leeds last season did kick start our season somewhat.[/p][/quote]I was so glad we won our opening game last season.mack chinnon

zummerzet saint wrote:
It's true....Swansea's key player last year was Leon Britton, we need to spend and get a top quality creative midfield general in. We do lack that sort of player at the moment.

Nigel's on it. Believe.

I did hear that on Sunday night Nigel dreamed he was a horse and he told Nicola that since then he hasn't been entirely sure whether he is actually a horse dreaming that he is a football manager. This is a very difficult one indeed and I hope he gets through it.

A dream within a dream. I'll keep an eye open for a spinning top and give a little more respect to horses I meet this season.

I hope our team from last year (that stayed in the top 2 positions all season) is given a little more faith, I love our opening fixtures, Tottenham had a bad start last year but I remember that that gave them a really good "this is the level" mark by which to play against other teams. After facing that lot if we can come through it unbroken we will feel a fresh freedom with which to aspire to. Unbeaten? imagine the feeling to ride!

[quote][p][bold]Confucious[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]zummerzet saint[/bold] wrote:
It's true....Swansea's key player last year was Leon Britton, we need to spend and get a top quality creative midfield general in. We do lack that sort of player at the moment.[/p][/quote]Nigel's on it. Believe.[/p][/quote]I did hear that on Sunday night Nigel dreamed he was a horse and he told Nicola that since then he hasn't been entirely sure whether he is actually a horse dreaming that he is a football manager. This is a very difficult one indeed and I hope he gets through it.[/p][/quote]A dream within a dream. I'll keep an eye open for a spinning top and give a little more respect to horses I meet this season.
I hope our team from last year (that stayed in the top 2 positions all season) is given a little more faith, I love our opening fixtures, Tottenham had a bad start last year but I remember that that gave them a really good "this is the level" mark by which to play against other teams. After facing that lot if we can come through it unbroken we will feel a fresh freedom with which to aspire to. Unbeaten? imagine the feeling to ride!Optimist

Alicesdad wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.

I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.

Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a &quot;hanging by a thread" survival outfit.

We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.

We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.

Onwards.

I admire your optimism and positive attitude. But. Do you watch much Premier League football on TV? With our current squad plus another 4 decent additions we can probably make 15th in the league.

I am sure NC will have set NA a stretch target of over half way, but to achieve that you need high quality players not just good players

Our present squad doesn't have proven high quality players who have done it in the Premier League, and I don't believe we will bring that kind of player in. So, we have get real, 15th will be a decent result for me. I hope NC see's it that way and doesn't get rid of Nigel if we don't end up 10th or better.

But some how I don't think he will. When Pardew got us within one place of the play-offs and won the JPT, with a -10 start in the league he was told he had failed.

I would love to see us in the top 10, but I have been watching 2 Premier League games per week for years and I don't think our squad will be good enough to achieve that.

Like Norwich and Swansea were are a provincial club, with provincial players. Unless big money is invested I think we will stay that way.

Gotta call you on this one, George. I am sure you will mark my words. Don't believe everything you see on Telly or read on Wiki- trust in Nicole and Nigel, they will do whatever is necessary to build on these now solid foundations. FIGHT and WIN we RULE the South-ooh, it's catching.

[quote][p][bold]george chivers[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Alicesdad[/bold] wrote:
Interesting viewpoint from Le Saux, but nothing new really. It's all been said on these threads by the sage fanbase.
I am however fed up with people comparing us to Swansea, Norwich and other newbies who just seem grateful to be in the same league as the so called big guns and are only interested in avoiding the drop.
Is nobody listening ? The owners, the chief exec and the manager are looking to be a top half team, not a "hanging by a thread" survival outfit.
We are Southampton - we are back - if anybody DARES to treat us with disrespect they will be trampled into the holy dirt and richer dust that covers our pitch. We WILL win at home and we will be DANGEROUS away from home and we WILL be a top half team and our players WILL be international class.
We realy must get this mind set right .. timidity will see us among the timid... boldness, skill and the Southampton style will see us as a team feared across this land, and across the borders of Europe.
Onwards.[/p][/quote]I admire your optimism and positive attitude. But. Do you watch much Premier League football on TV? With our current squad plus another 4 decent additions we can probably make 15th in the league.
I am sure NC will have set NA a stretch target of over half way, but to achieve that you need high quality players not just good players
Our present squad doesn't have proven high quality players who have done it in the Premier League, and I don't believe we will bring that kind of player in. So, we have get real, 15th will be a decent result for me. I hope NC see's it that way and doesn't get rid of Nigel if we don't end up 10th or better.
But some how I don't think he will. When Pardew got us within one place of the play-offs and won the JPT, with a -10 start in the league he was told he had failed.
I would love to see us in the top 10, but I have been watching 2 Premier League games per week for years and I don't think our squad will be good enough to achieve that.
Like Norwich and Swansea were are a provincial club, with provincial players. Unless big money is invested I think we will stay that way.[/p][/quote]Gotta call you on this one, George. I am sure you will mark my words. Don't believe everything you see on Telly or read on Wiki- trust in Nicole and Nigel, they will do whatever is necessary to build on these now solid foundations. FIGHT and WIN we RULE the South-ooh, it's catching.lowe esteem

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.

Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.

Might be a plastic - although it shows the intelligence - referring to the league that they are (possibly) in the second tier of in derogatory terms.

Charlie Umbrella November Tango

[quote][p][bold]St Graz[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]lowe esteem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-[/p][/quote]The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.
Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.[/p][/quote]Might be a plastic - although it shows the intelligence - referring to the league that they are (possibly) in the second tier of in derogatory terms.[/p][/quote]Charlie Umbrella November Tango5cum 5cum 5cum

5cum 5cum 5cum wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.

Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-

The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.

Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.

Might be a plastic - although it shows the intelligence - referring to the league that they are (possibly) in the second tier of in derogatory terms.

Charlie Umbrella November Tango

Sierra Kilo Uniform November Tango

[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]St Graz[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]St Retford[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]lowe esteem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]5cum 5cum 5cum[/bold] wrote:
What a bunch of deluded jokers, back in fizzy pop league in one year.[/p][/quote]Is your name based on the song you, Johnny the Bell and the other 3 sing at home games?
Mine is a tribute to our illustrious history and your present-[/p][/quote]The Pompey manager (who I actually quite like despite his inability to say anything without prefacing it with the word 'obviously') has said he'll be going into August with literally no players. So he'll have two weeks to assemble a squad from scratch before starting in League One with, most likely, a points deduction.
Yep, these are great times to be a Pompey fan alright.[/p][/quote]Might be a plastic - although it shows the intelligence - referring to the league that they are (possibly) in the second tier of in derogatory terms.[/p][/quote]Charlie Umbrella November Tango[/p][/quote]Sierra Kilo Uniform November TangoSt Graz